A Year-End Inventory of Thankful Moments

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This is Part 4 in a holiday series to help you manage the emotional, mental, physical, and financial clutter that can accompany the year’s end. You can read Part 1, Holiday Survival: How to Say No Gracefully, here, Part 2, Simplify Your Gift Game: A Mindful Approach to Holiday Giving, here, and Part 3, A Budget-Friendly Guide to Holiday Joy, here.

Last weekend, Melissa and I joined my siblings and their spouses at my sister’s house for her annual holiday dinner. It was a small group this year — just 12 of us (yes, that’s small for the Richardson clan), but the amount of love and gratitude was as big as ever.

We did all the usual festive stuff—laughter, chats, singing, games, and, of course, indulging in a feast fit for royalty. To cap off the night (pun intended), we had a blast with a Yankee Swap gift exchange.

As I soaked in the moment with my family, I couldn’t help but feel incredibly lucky. Having siblings who not only get along but genuinely enjoy each other’s company is something special. It was the perfect way to kick off my year-end gratitude reflections.

This year, I’m counting my blessings for:

• My amazing wife, Melissa, who always knows how to make me feel loved and supported,
• My fur babies, Kaia and my angel kitty, Kiva, whose antics bring a smile even in tough times,
• The unwavering support of friends and family as I navigate this journey of grief,
• My mom’s nightly good night texts and the wise “thoughts of the day” she shares,
• Having a roof over my head,
• And so much more.

In a world that seems to be getting crazier by the day, I’m convinced that approaching each day with gratitude and hope is a game-changer. That positivity is contagious and definitely something worth spreading.

I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your year and pinpoint what you’re grateful for—even if it means doing some soul-searching. Trust me, it’s worth it. This practice has a way of shifting perspectives, fostering compassion, and hopefully inspiring others to do the same.

Lastly, a big thank you for welcoming me into your inbox every week and sharing this space with me. I genuinely value our connection and look forward to keeping the conversation alive.

Wishing you a week filled with good vibes and gratitude!

If you need some ongoing support and inspiration, be sure to check out my new creation, the Coach in Your Pocket audio bundle — a collection of 12 bite-sized audio workshops each dedicated to helping you level up your life.

Download them and take them on the go for whenever you need some quick coaching. (If you’re a member of my community Clutter Clear Your Life, you already have access to all of these in your Courses library). 😊